2002 Dodge RAM 1500 problems
Owners have filed 1,004 complaints about the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500 with NHTSA. Structure accounts for 27.8% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of power train at 10%.
Complaints1,004
Crashes74
Fires22
Injuries79
Deaths2
What owners report breaking
Structure 27.8% · 279
Power train 10.0% · 100
Electrical system 9.4% · 94
Suspension 7.6% · 76
Unknown or other 6.2% · 62
Engine and engine cooling 5.9% · 59
Visibility 5.3% · 53
Air bags 4.8% · 48
Severity
Of those complaints, 74 describe a crash, 22 describe a fire, 79 report an injury and 2 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 19 model years of the Dodge RAM 1500 in this data, 2002 sits 6th by complaint volume. 2005 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 7 in the last three years against 9 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 72,000 miles.
In owners' own words
My dashboard is cracking and falling apart in on itself I have tried blowing but it continues to crack apart and it is falling in on the dash afraid if its ever in an accident classic will fly everywhere and cut or kill someone. It started doing this in two thousand and ten after I moved to florida. And the paint on the vehicle hood quarter panels front and upper doors and around the lower doors is fading away. Structure · reported at 200,000 miles
The dashboard in the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500 has multiple cracks and pieces are falling into the a/c vents and the firewall. There are many sharp edges and loose broken pieces and I'm afraid if there is an accident there could be fragments that break apart and could potentially cause eye damage or severe lacerations. Please address this issue with Dodge as I have found multiple complaints from numerous owners. Structure · reported at 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge RAM 1500. While driving approximately 35 mph, the frame around the steering box disconnected from the steering due to excessive rust. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The dealer was not called. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000. Structure · reported at 65,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…